[Imaging risk factors for postoperative cerebral infarction in adults with ischemic Moyamoya disease].

Objective: To investigate the imaging factors associated with postoperative cerebral infarction in adult patients aged 18 and above with ischemic Moyamoya disease. Methods: The clinical data of adult patients who underwent surgeries for ischemic Moyamoya disease in the Department of Neurosurgery at Peking University International Hospital from October 2015 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 239 patients, 120 were male and 119 were female, with ages ranging from 18 to 63 (41.7±10.3) years. A total of 239 patients(290 cases) underwent direct and indirect combined revascularization (CR).Gender, age, surgical side, preoperative transient ischemic attack (TIA), presence of old cerebral infarction, and imaging features were compared between the patients with (48 cases) and without (242 cases) cerebral infarction within 1 week after surgery. Multivariate logistic binary regression model was used to analyze the imaging risk factors of postoperative cerebral infarction. Results: Cerebral infarction occurred in 48 cases(16.5%) among the 290 CR group within 1 week after surgery. The proportion of patients with TIA, old cerebral infarction, ICA stenosis, A1 segment stenosis, M1 segment stenosis, abnormal posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and unstable compensation before CR in the cerebral infarction group was higher than that in the non-cerebral infarction group (P<0.05).Preoperative TIA (OR=4.514, 95%CI: 1.920-10.611), old cerebral infarction (OR=2.856,95%CI:1.176-6.936), A1 stenosis (OR=7.027,95%CI:1.877-26.308), M1 stenosis (OR=6.968,95%CI:2.162-22.459), abnormal PCA (OR=4.114,95%CI:1.330-12.728)and unstable compensation (OR=4.488,95%CI:1.194-16.865) were risk factors for cerebral infarction after CR surgery (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Among the imaging factors, TIA, old cerebral infarction, A1 stenosis, M1 stenosis, abnormal PCA and unstable compensation were risk factors for cerebral infarction in adult patients with ischemic Moyamoya disease treated by combined revascularization.

Immune landscape and progress in immunotherapy for pituitary neuroendocrine tumors.

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (pitNETs) are the second most common primary brain tumors. Despite their prevalence, the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and its clinical implications remain largely unexplored. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on the immune landscape and advancements in targeted immunotherapy for pitNETs. Macrophages and T cells are principal immune infiltrates within the TIME. Different subtypes of pitNETs display distinct immune patterns, influencing tumor progressive behaviors. PD-L1, the most extensively studied immune checkpoint, is prominently expressed in hormonal pitNETs and correlates with tumor growth and invasion. Cytokines and chemokines including interleukins, CCLs, and CXCLs have complex correlations with tumor subtypes and immune cell infiltration. Crosstalk between macrophages and pitNET cells highlights bidirectional regulatory roles, suggesting potential macrophage-targeted strategies. Recent preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 therapy in a mouse model of corticotroph pitNET. Moreover, anti-PD-1 and/or anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy has been applied globally in 28 cases of refractory pitNETs, showing more favorable responses in pituitary carcinomas than aggressive pitNETs. In conclusion, the TIME of pitNETs represents a promising avenue for targeted immunotherapy and warrants further investigation.

Bulk and single cells transcriptomes with experimental validation identify USP18 as a novel glioma prognosis and proliferation indicator.

The mechanism by which ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) (enzyme commission: 3.4.19.12) inhibition in cancer promotes cell pyroptosis via the induction of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes has been recently demonstrated. It is also known that USP18 influences the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of glioma cells. In the present study, the upregulation of USP18 in glioma was revealed through bulk transcriptome analysis, which was associated with poor prognosis in patients with glioma. Furthermore, USP18 levels affected the response to immunotherapy in patients with glioma. Single-cell transcriptome and enrichment analyses demonstrated that USP18 was associated with type 1 IFN responses in glioma T cells. To demonstrate the effect of USP18 expression levels on glioma cells, USP18 expression was knocked down in U251 and U87MG ATCC cell lines. A subsequent Cell Counting Kit-8 assay revealed that glioma cell viability was significantly decreased 4 days after USP18 knockdown. In addition, the knockdown of USP18 expression significantly inhibited the clonogenicity of U251 and U87MG ATCC cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that knockdown of USP18 expression inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells, which may be mediated by the effect of USP18 on the IFN-I response.

Risk factors for delayed postoperative hemorrhage in patients with brain arteriovenous malformations: an analysis of the nationwide multicenter prospective registry MATCH study.

OBJECTIVE: Reducing the incidence of delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DPH) is one of the challenges in the surgical treatment of patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs). This study aimed to identify several risk factors for DPH after bAVM resection and evaluate the impact of these risk factors in patients with bAVMs. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with bAVMs who underwent microsurgical resection between August 2011 and September 2021. Patients were divided into either the DPH group or non-DPH group based on whether they experienced a postoperative intracerebral hemorrhage into the bAVM bed within 14 days after bAVM resection. Factors associated with DPH were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1284 consecutive patients with bAVMs were evaluated; DPH events occurred in 18 patients (1.4%). There were several differences in vascular architecture between the two cohorts. A giant nidus, a nidus involved in the eloquent area, a periventricular nidus, and a nidus accompanied by venous ectasia were more likely to be associated with DPH events. The multivariate analysis identified two independent factors associated with DPH: maximum diameter (OR 1.44 per 1-cm increase, 95% CI 1.13-1.83) and periventricular lesion (OR 4.10, 95% CI 1.33-12.59). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the maximum lesion diameter and development of DPH was 0.71 (95% CI 0.58-0.84). The cutoff value for the maximum bAVM diameter was 4.15 cm. Furthermore, patients with a giant bAVM, of which the maximum diameter was ≥ 4.15 cm, had a higher DPH risk after surgery (HR 5.79, 95% CI 2.01-16.67; p < 0.01). The incidence rates of DPH for patients with periventricular lesions were higher than those for patients without periventricular lesions (HR 4.50, 95% CI 1.77-11.40; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with giant bAVMs or periventricular lesions are at higher risk for DPH after surgery. Strategies such as blood pressure control, preoperative embolization, intraoperative monitoring, and careful patient selection should be considered to reduce the risk of DPH in high-risk patients.

Effects of calcium channel blockers on perioperative ischemic events in hypertensive patients with intracranial aneurysms undergoing neurointervention.

BACKGROUND: Although calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are useful in stroke prevention, their specific role in preventing stroke in hypertensive patients with intracranial aneurysms undergoing endovascular stent placement remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 458 hypertensive patients with intracranial aneurysms who underwent stent treatment, drawn from a larger multicenter cohort comprising 1326 patients across eight centers. Patients were dichotomized into two groups according to use of a CCB. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance group differences in patient and aneurysm characteristics. We conducted a comparison of patient and aneurysm characteristics, ischemic complications, and clinical outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: The CCB and non-CCB groups comprised 279 and 179 patients, respectively. PSM resulted in 165 matched pairs. After PSM, the incidence of ischemic events within 1 month of the procedure (4.2% vs 10.9%; P=0.022) and proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale score >2 at last follow-up (1.5% vs 7.8%; P=0.013) were significantly lower in the CCB group. Among patients treated with combination therapy, inclusion of a CCB was associated with a lower incidence of ischemic events (1.5% vs 13.3%; P=0.345), but the difference was not statistically significant after correction. CONCLUSIONS: CCB use in hypertensive patients undergoing endovascular stenting for treatment of intracranial aneurysms is associated with a lower incidence of ischemic events and a lower incidence of unfavorable neurological outcomes, especially when used in combination therapy.

Overloaded transnidal pressure gradient as the hemodynamic mechanism leading to arteriovenous malformation rupture: a quantitative analysis using intravascular pressure monitoring and color-coded digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND: The hemodynamics of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) may have implications for hemorrhage. This study aimed to explore the hemodynamics of ruptured AVMs by direct microcatheter intravascular pressure monitoring (MIPM) and indirect quantitative digital subtraction angiography (QDSA). METHODS: We recruited patients with AVMs at a tertiary neurosurgery center from October 2020 to March 2023. In terms of MIPM, we preoperatively super-selected a predominant feeding artery and main draining vein through angiography to measure intravascular pressure before embolization. In processing of QDSA, we adopted previously standardized procedure for quantitative hemodynamics analysis of pre-embolization digital subtraction angiography (DSA), encompassing main feeding artery, nidus, and the main draining vein. Subsequently, we investigated the correlation between AVM rupture and intravascular pressure from MIPM, as well as hemodynamic parameters derived from QDSA. Additionally, we explored the interrelationships between hemodynamic indicators in both dimensions. RESULTS: After strict screening of patients, our study included 10 AVMs (six ruptured and four unruptured). We found that higher transnidal pressure gradient (TPG) (53.00±6.36 vs 39.25±8.96 mmHg, p=0.042), higher feeding artery pressure (FAP) (72.83±5.46 vs 65.00±6.48 mmHg, p=0.031) and higher stasis index of nidus (3.54±0.73 vs 2.43±0.70, p=0.043) were significantly correlated with AVM rupture. In analysis of interrelationships between hemodynamic indicators in both dimensions, a strongly positive correlation (r=0.681, p=0.030) existed between TPG and stasis index of nidus. CONCLUSIONS: TPG and FAP from MIPM platform and nidus stasis index from QDSA platform were correlated with AVM rupture, and both were positively correlated, suggesting that higher pressure load within nidus may be the central mechanism leading to AVM rupture.

DTX2 promotes glioma development via regulation of HLTF.

BACKGROUND: Human Deltex 2 (DTX2) is a ubiquitin E3 ligase that functions as an oncogene and has been shown to participate in many human cancers. However, the role of DTX2 in glioma progression has remained obscure. In this study, we explore the mechanism underlying the function of DTX2 in glioma progression. METHODS: The associations between DTX2 expression and clinical characteristics of glioma were determined by bioinformatic analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Human Protein Atlas. The expression of DTX2 in glioma tissues was detected using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Lentivirus-mediated gene knockdown and overexpression were used to determine the effects of DTX2 and helicase-like transcription element (HLTF) on glioma cell proliferation and migration with CCK-8, cell colony formation, transwell, and wound healing assays; flow cytometry in vitro; and animal models in vivo. The interaction of the DTX2 and HLTF proteins was verified by immunoprecipitation assay and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: DTX2 was highly expressed in glioma samples, and this was correlated with worse overall survival. Silencing of DTX2 suppressed glioma cell viability, colony formation, and migration and induced cell apoptosis. In vitro ubiquitination assays confirmed that DTX2 could downregulate HLTF protein levels by increasing ubiquitination of the HLTF protein. We also observed that HLTF inhibited proliferation and migration of glioma cells. Subcutaneous xenografts with DTX2-overexpressing U87 cells showed significantly increased tumor volumes and weights. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified DTX2/HLTF as a new axis in the development of glioma that could serve as a prognostic or therapeutic marker.

Timing of microsurgical resection for ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations: a propensity score-matched analysis using prospective single-center registry data.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal microsurgical timing in ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is not well understood and is surrounded by controversy. This study aimed to elucidate the impacts of microsurgical resection timing on clinical outcomes. METHODS: The authors retrieved and reviewed the records on all ruptured AVMs treated at their institution and registered in a nationwide multicenter prospective collaboration registry between August 2011 and August 2021. Patients were dichotomized into an early resection group (≤ 30 days from the last hemorrhagic stroke) and a delayed resection group (> 30 days after the last hemorrhagic stroke). Propensity score-matched analysis was used to compare long-term outcomes. The primary outcome was neurological status as assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The secondary outcomes were complete obliteration rate, postoperative seizure, and postoperative hemorrhage. RESULTS: Of the 3649 consecutive AVMs treated at the authors' institution, a total of 558 ruptured AVMs were microsurgically resected and had long-term follow-up. After propensity score matching, 390 ruptured AVMs (195 pairs) were included in the comparison of outcomes. The mean (± standard deviation) clinical follow-up duration was 4.93 ± 2.94 years in the early resection group and 5.61 ± 2.56 years in the delayed resection group. Finally, as regards the distribution of mRS scores, short-term neurological outcomes were better in the delayed resection group (risk difference [RD] 0.3%, 95% CI -0.1% to 0.6%, p = 0.010), whereas long-term neurological outcomes were similar between the two groups (RD 0.0%, 95% CI -0.2% to 0.2%, p = 0.906). Long-term favorable neurological outcomes (early vs delayed: 90.8% vs 90.3%, p > 0.999; RD 0.5%, 95% CI -5.8% to 6.9%; RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.94-1.07) and long-term disability (9.2% vs 9.7%, p > 0.999; RD -0.5%, 95% CI -6.9% to 5.8%; RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.51-1.75) were also similar between these groups. In terms of secondary outcomes, postoperative seizure (early vs delayed: 8.7% vs 5.6%, p = 0.239; RD 3.1%, 95% CI -2.6% to 8.8%; RR 1.55, 95% CI 0.74-3.22), postoperative hemorrhage (1.0% vs 1.0%, p > 0.999; RD 0.0%, 95% CI -3.1% to 3.1%; RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.14-7.04), and hospitalization time (16.4 ± 8.5 vs 19.1 ± 7.9 days, p = 0.793) were similar between the two groups, whereas early resection had a lower complete obliteration rate (91.3% vs 99.0%, p = 0.001; RD -7.7%, 95% CI -12.9% to 3.1%; RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Early and delayed resection of ruptured AVMs had similar long-term neurological outcomes. Delayed resection can lead to a higher complete obliteration rate, although the risk of rerupture during the resection waiting period should be vigilantly monitored.

ITGA2 as a prognostic factor of glioma promotes GSCs invasion and EMT by activating STAT3 phosphorylation.

Glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults with a high mortality and recurrence rate. Integrin alpha 2 (ITGA2) is involved in cell adhesion, stem cell regulation, angiogenesis and immune cell function. The role of ITGA2 in glioma malignant invasion remains unknown. The function and clinical relevance of ITGA2 were analysed by bioinformatics databases. The expression of ITGA2 in parent cells and GSCs was detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence double staining. The role of ITGA2 on the malignant phenotype of GSCs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was identified by stem cell function assays and Western blot. The effect of ITGA2 on glioma progression in vivo was determined by the intracranial orthotopic xenograft model. Immunohistochemistry, Spearman correlation and Kaplan-Meier were used to analyse the relationship of ITGA2 with clinical features and glioma prognosis. Biological analysis showed that ITGA2 might be related to cell invasion and migration. ITGA2, enriched in GSCs and co-expressed with SOX2, promoted the invasion and migration of GSCs by activating STAT3 phosphorylation and enhancing EMT. ITGA2 knockout suppressed the intracranial orthotopic xenograft growth and prolonged the survival of xenograft mice. In addition, the expression level of ITGA2 was significantly correlated to the grade of malignancy, N-cadherin and Ki67. High expression of ITGA2 indicated a worse prognosis of glioma patients. As a biomarker for the prediction of prognosis, ITGA2 promotes the malignant invasion of GSCs by activating STAT3 phosphorylation and enhancing EMT, leading to tumor recurrence and poor prognosis.

Perioperative hormone level changes and their clinical implications in patients with pituitary adenoma: a retrospective study of 428 cases at a single center.

Objective: This study employs case data analysis to elucidate alterations in hormone levels pre and post-surgery among patients with pituitary adenoma. Moreover, it investigates the influence of various associated factors on endocrine function. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 428 patients who underwent surgical treatment within a short period at a single center. Statistical methods were employed to examine detailed hormone level fluctuations before and after surgery in patients with pituitary adenoma, along with their interrelations with different factors. Results: Between January 2016 and October 2022, a total of 428 consecutive patients with pituitary adenoma underwent surgical treatment. Of these, 232 were males and 196 were females, with an average age of 45.91 years (range: 16-84, standard deviation: 12.18). Univariate analysis indicated that females exhibited a higher susceptibility to preoperative endocrine dysfunction (p < 0.05). Conversely, males, patients with larger tumor volumes, and older patients were more prone to preoperative pituitary insufficiency. Postoperatively, the most substantial remission rate occurred in prolactin (77.4%), followed by growth hormone (GH) (71.8%) and cortisol (4/6). The highest recovery rate in functions was observed in growth hormone secretion function (80%), followed by pituitary-adrenal axis hormone secretion function (56.3%) and pituitary-thyroid axis hormone secretion function (47.5%). The most noteworthy incidence of newly developed postoperative endocrine deficiencies was found in the pituitary-adrenal axis (31.8%), while the occurrence rates of deficiencies in other axes were relatively low. The elevated postoperative remission rate of growth hormone correlated with a higher surgical resection rate and lower preoperative growth hormone levels. Additionally, lower preoperative prolactin levels corresponded to a higher remission rate of prolactin postoperatively. Furthermore, the restoration of postoperative thyroid hormone secretion function was associated with higher preoperative free thyroxine levels. Reduced postoperative cortisol secretion function was linked to multiple surgeries and an extended interval between hormone retesting and surgery. Conclusion: Surgical intervention effectively ameliorates endocrine disorders in pituitary adenoma patients, thereby mitigating symptoms and enhancing their quality of life. Preoperative management of growth hormone and prolactin levels facilitates an increased remission rate of these hormones post pituitary adenoma surgery. Patients displaying preoperative thyroid hormone secretion dysfunction should be considered for active supplementation therapy. Whenever feasible, complete tumor resection is recommended. For patients undergoing reoperation or multiple surgeries, vigilant postoperative cortisol monitoring and supplementation should be thoughtfully administered.

Re-rupture in ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations: a retrospective cohort study based on a nationwide multicenter prospective registry.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the natural history of re-rupture in ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and to provide comprehensive insights into its associated factors and prevention. METHODS: This study included 1712 eligible ruptured AVMs from a nationwide multicenter prospective collaboration registry between August 2011 and September 2021. The natural rupture risk before intervention and the annual rupture risk after intervention were both assessed. Cox proportional hazard regression models and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to explore independent factors associated with AVM re-rupture. The correlation between these factors and AVM re-rupture was verified in multiple independent cohorts, and the prevention effect of intervention timing and intervention strategies on AVM re-rupture was further analyzed. RESULTS: The annual re-rupture risk in ruptured AVMs was 7.6%, and the cumulative re-rupture risk in the first 1, 3, 5, and 10 years following the initial rupture were 10%, 25%, 37.5%, and 50%, respectively. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis confirmed adult patients, ventricular system involvement, and any deep venous drainage as independent factors associated with AVM re-rupture. The intervention was found to significantly reduce the risk of AVM re-rupture (annual rupture risk 11.34% vs 1.70%, p<0.001), especially in those who underwent surgical resection (annual rupture risk 0.13%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of re-rupture in ruptured AVMs is high. Adult patients, ventricular system involvement, and any deep venous drainage are independent risk factors for re-rupture. Applying the results universally to all ruptured AVM cases may be biased. Intervention could effectively reduce the risk of re-rupture.

Insular cortex Hounsfield units predict postoperative neurocardiogenic injury in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to investigate the association between the Hounsfield unit (Hu) value of the insular cortex (IC) during emergency admission and the subsequent occurrence of post-operative neurocardiogenic injury (NCI) among patients afflicted with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: Patients baseline characteristics were juxtaposed between those with and without NCI. The significant variables were incorporated into a multivariable stepwise logistic regression model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drafted for each significant variable, yielding cutoff values and the area under the curve (AUC). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the predictive performance across various cohorts and ascertain result stability. Propensity score matching (PSM) was ultimately employed to redress any baseline characteristic disparities. RESULTS: Patients displaying a right IC Hu value surpassing 28.65 exhibited an escalated risk of postoperative NCI upon confounder adjustment (p < 0.001). The ROC curve eloquently manifested the predictive capacity of right IC Hu in relation to NCI (AUC = 0.650, 95%CI, 0.591-0.709, p < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis revealed significant interactions between right IC Hu and factors such as age, history of heart disease, and Graeb 5-12 score. Sensitivity analysis further upheld the results' significant (p = 0.002). The discrepancy in NCI incidence between the two groups, both prior (p < 0.002) and post (p = 0.039) PSM, exhibited statistical significance. After PSM implementation, the likelihood of NCI displayed an ascending trend with increasing right IC Hu values, from the Hu1 cohort onward, receding post the Hu4 cohort. CONCLUSION: This study definitively establishes an elevated right IC Hu value in the early stages of emergency admission as an autonomous predictor for ensuing NCI subsequent to aSAH.

Long-term outcomes of microsurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery as the first-line treatment for arteriovenous malformations: a propensity score-matched analysis using nationwide multicenter prospective registry data.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the risk and benefit profile of microsurgery (MS) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as the first-line treatment for unruptured and ruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors included AVMs underwent MS or SRS as the first-line treatment from a nationwide prospective multicenter registry in mainland China. The authors used propensity score-matched methods to balance baseline characteristics between the MS and SRS groups. The primary outcomes were long-term hemorrhagic stroke or death, and the secondary outcomes were long-term obliteration and neurological outcomes. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses with different study designs were performed to confirm the stability of our findings. RESULTS: Of the 4286 consecutive AVMs in the registry from August 2011 to December 2021; 1604 patients were eligible. After matching, 244 unruptured and 442 ruptured AVMs remained for the final analysis. The mean follow-up duration was 7.0 years in the unruptured group and 6.1 years in the ruptured group. In the comparison of primary outcomes, SRS was associated with a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke or death both in the unruptured and ruptured AVMs (unruptured: hazard ratio 4.06, 95% CI: 1.15-14.41; ruptured: hazard ratio 4.19, 95% CI: 1.58-11.15). In terms of the secondary outcomes, SRS was also observed to have a significant disadvantage in long-term obliteration [unruptured: odds ratio (OR) 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.04; ruptured: OR 0.09, 95% CI: 0.05-0.15]. However, it should be noted that SRS may have advantages in preventing neurofunctional decline (unruptured: OR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.27-1.14; ruptured: OR 0.41, 95% CI: 0.23-0.76). The results of subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were consistent in trend but with slightly varied powers. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical practice-based real-world study comprehensively compared MS and SRS for AVMs with long-term outcomes. MS is more effective in preventing future hemorrhage or death and achieving obliteration, while the risk of neurofunctional decline should not be ignored.

Effect comparison of neuroendoscopy versus microsurgery in the treatment of lateral ventricular tumors.

Purpose: We sought to reveal the clinical characteristics of lateral ventricle tumors and to evaluate the superior surgical procedure available. Methods: There involved a total of of 49 adult patients harboring lateral ventricle tumors in neurosurgery department of our hospital from January 2016 to March 2022. The patients enrolled were retrospectively analyzed, so are their clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics and surgical strategies. The patients were allocated into neuroendoscope group (11 cases) and microsurgery group (38 cases) according to the operation method. The two groups underwent a detailed evaluation of operation effectiveness and safety profile (operation time, intraoperative bleeding, surgical resection rate, postoperative complications) and economic indicators (postoperative hospital stay, hospital costs). Results: The neuroendoscope group demonstrated a markedly shorter operation time than the microsurgery group (p<0.05), with the amount of bleeding significantly less than the microsurgery group (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the resection rate and postoperative complications between the two groups (p>0.05). Significant difference was found in the economic indicators (postoperative hospital stay and hospital costs) of the patients in the neuroendoscope group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Surgery intervention is regarded as the core treatment option for lateral ventricle tumors. Both microsurgery and neuroendoscopy are effective with safety profile. In the selected lateral ventricle tumor surgery, the application of neuroendoscopic surgery showed promising results, in terms of less intraoperative bleeding, and shorter operation time, postoperative hospital stays, and hospital costs. The selection of surgical approach and methods for lateral ventricle tumors is principally depended on the experience of neurosurgeon concerning the surgical approach and related neuroanatomy.

Association of the combined stereotactic radiosurgery and embolization strategy and long-term outcomes in brain arteriovenous malformations with a volume ≤10 mL: a nationwide multicenter observational prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To compare the long-term outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with or without prior embolization in brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) (volume ≤10 mL) for which SRS is indicated. METHODS: Patients were recruited from a nationwide multicenter prospective collaboration registry (the MATCH study) between August 2011 and August 2021, and categorized into combined embolization and SRS (E+SRS) and SRS alone cohorts. We performed propensity score-matched survival analysis to compare the long-term risk of non-fatal hemorrhagic stroke and death (primary outcomes). The long-term obliteration rate, favorable neurological outcomes, seizure, worsened mRS score, radiation-induced changes, and embolization complications were also evaluated (secondary outcomes). Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: After study exclusions and propensity score matching, 486 patients (243 pairs) were included. The median (IQR) follow-up duration for the primary outcomes was 5.7 (3.1-8.2) years. Overall, E+SRS and SRS alone were similar in preventing long-term non-fatal hemorrhagic stroke and death (0.68 vs 0.45 per 100 patient-years; HR=1.46 (95% CI 0.56 to 3.84)), as well as in facilitating AVM obliteration (10.02 vs 9.48 per 100 patient-years; HR=1.10 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.38)). However, the E+SRS strategy was significantly inferior to the SRS alone strategy in terms of neurological deterioration (worsened mRS score: 16.0% vs 9.1%; HR=2.00 (95% CI 1.18 to 3.38)). CONCLUSIONS: In this observational prospective cohort study, the combined strategy of E+SRS does not show substantial advantages over SRS alone. The findings do not support pre-SRS embolization for AVMs with a volume ≤10 mL.

Nomogram to Predict Good Neoangiogenesis After Indirect Revascularization Surgery in Patients with Moyamoya Disease: a Case-control Study.

Indirect bypass surgery is an effective treatment for moyamoya disease (MMD), but the success of the surgery depends on the formation of spontaneous collateral vessels, which cannot be accurately predicted before surgery. Developing a prediction nomogram model for neoangiogenesis in patients after indirect revascularization surgery can aid surgeons in identifying suitable candidates for indirect revascularization surgery. This retrospective observational study enrolled patients with MMD who underwent indirect bypass surgery from a multicenter cohort between December 2010 and December 2018. Data including potential clinical and radiological predictors were obtained from hospital records. A nomogram was generated based on a multivariate logistic regression analysis identifying potential predictors of good neoangiogenesis. A total of 263 hemispheres of 241 patients (mean ± SD age 24.38 ± 15.78 years, range 1-61 years) were reviewed, including 168 (63.9%) hemispheres with good postoperative collateral formation and 95 (36.1%) with poor postoperative collateral formation. Based on multivariate analysis, a nomogram was formulated incorporating four predictors, including age at operation, abundance of ICA moyamoya vessels, onset type, and Suzuki stage. The C-index for this nomogram was 0.80. Calibration curve and decision-making analysis validated the fitness and clinical application value of this nomogram. The nomogram developed in this study exhibits high accuracy in predicting good neoangiogenesis after indirect revascularization surgery in MMD patients. This model can be very helpful for clinicians when making decisions about surgical strategies for MMD patients in clinical practice.

Learning curve in pipeline embolization device: results from the pipeline embolization device in China post-market multicentre registry study.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial aneurysms pose a significant health issue, affecting 3-5% of the adult population. The pipeline embolization device (PED) has emerged as a promising treatment for these lesions. This study aimed to investigate the impact of operator experience on complication and poor outcome rates, as well as the learning curve for PED. METHODS: A total of 217 patients were consecutively enroled from four eligible centres and divided into three groups based on the number of procedures performed: group 1 (first 10 procedures), group 2 (11-20 procedures), and group 3(>20 procedures). Major complications include operation-related ischaemic or haemorrhagic events and mass effect deterioration. Poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score greater than 2 at discharge. Cumulative summation (CUSUM) analysis was generated to assess the learning curve according to major complications and poor outcome. RESULTS: The study found that major complications and poor outcomes occurred in 5.1% and 2.3% of cases, respectively. The rate of major complications decreased from 10.0% in group 1 to 2.9% in group 3 ( P =0.053), while the rate of poor outcomes decreased from 7.5% in group 1 to 0.7% in group 3 ( P =0.015). Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for covariates showed that operator experience was associated with a lower rate of poor outcomes ( P =0.034). CUSUM analysis demonstrated that the learning curve for avoiding major complications and poor outcomes required 27 (mean=13) and 40 (mean=20) cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PED treatment requires a learning curve of 40 cases to achieve reproducibility regarding complications and functional results. Additionally, major complications and poor outcomes significantly decreases after the first 20 procedures. CUSUM analysis can serve as a useful tool for monitoring and assessing surgical performance.

Association of embolization with long-term outcomes in brain arteriovenous malformations: a propensity score-matched analysis using nationwide multicenter prospective registry data.

BACKGROUND: Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) account for 25% of hemorrhagic strokes in young adults. Although embolization has been widely performed as a stand-alone procedure to cure brain AVM, it is undermined whether patients benefit from this treatment. This study aimed to compare the long-term outcome of hemorrhagic stroke or death in patients with either conservative management or stand-alone embolization for AVM. METHODS: The study population was derived from a nationwide multicenter prospective collaboration registry (the MATCH registry) between August 2011 and August 2021. The propensity score-matched survival analysis was performed in the overall and stratified AVM cases (unruptured and ruptured), respectively, to compare the long-term outcome of hemorrhagic stroke or death, and neurological status. The efficacy of distinct embolization strategies was also evaluated. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CI were calculated using Fine-Gray competing risk models. RESULTS: Of the 3682 consecutive AVMs, 906 underwent either conservative management or embolization as the stand-alone management strategy. After propensity score matching, a total of 622 (311 pairs) patients constituted an overall cohort. The unruptured and ruptured subgroups were composed of 288 cases (144 pairs) and 252 cases (126 pairs), respectively. In the overall cohort, embolization did not prevent long-term hemorrhagic stroke or death compared with conservative management [2.07 vs. 1.57 per 100 patient-years; HR, 1.28 (95% CI, 0.81-2.04)]. Similar results were maintained in both unruptured AVMs [1.97 vs. 0.93 per 100 patient-years; HR, 2.09 (95% CI, 0.99-4.41)] and ruptured AVMs [2.36 vs. 2.57 per 100 patient-years; HR, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.39-1.48)]. Stratified analysis showed that the target embolization might be beneficial for unruptured AVMs [HR, 0.42 (95% CI, 0.08-2.29)], while the curative embolization improved the outcome of ruptured AVMs [HR, 0.29 (95% CI, 0.10-0.87)]. The long-term neurological status was similar between these two strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective cohort study did not support a substantial superiority of embolization over conservative management for AVMs in preventing long-term hemorrhagic stroke or death.

A score system used to screen the suitability for recanalization in carotid artery occlusions.

Recanalization of chronic occluded internal carotid arteries has the potential to provide significant benefits for patients in the future, but the procedure is technically challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to identify a better method to predict the success of recanalization for patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion. The study's overall success rate was 73.77%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that two factors were independent predictors of successful recanalization: the continuous low signal lumen in the occluded segment of the internal carotid artery on the MRI image without contrast (OR: 15.9; 95% CI: 2.67-94.63) and the architecture of the clinoid segment of the internal carotid artery on the MRI image with contrast (OR: 11.97; 95% CI: 2.44-58.79). Based on the model coefficient, the researchers established an MRI score system. The MRI score system's area under the curve (AUC) in predicting successful recanalization was 0.916 (95% CI: 0.815 to 0.972; p < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 83.33% and a specificity of 72.22%. Compared to the previous score system based on the DSA morphology, the MRI system had a similar sensitivity and a better specificity. Therefore, the continuous low signal lumen in the occluded segment of the internal carotid artery on the MRI image without contrast and the architecture of the clinoid segment of the internal carotid artery on the MRI image with contrast were identified as independent predictors for successful recanalization in patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO).

RNA profiling of sEV (small extracellular vesicles)/exosomes reveals biomarkers and vascular endothelial dysplasia with moyamoya disease.

The association of exosomal RNA profiling and pathogenesis of moyamoya disease (MMD) and intracranial Atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is unknown. In this study, we investigated the RNA profiles of sEV (small extracellular vesicles)/exosomes in patients with MMD and ICAD. Whole blood samples were collected from 30 individuals, including 10 patients with MMD, 10 patients with ICAD, and 10 healthy individuals. Whole transcriptome analysis was performed using the GeneChip WT Pico Reagent kit. Transcriptional correlation was verified using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The association between functional dysregulation and candidate RNAs was studied in vitro. In total, 1,486 downregulated and 2,405 upregulated RNAs differed significantly between patients with MMD and healthy controls. Differential expression of six circRNAs was detected using qPCR. Among these significantly differentially expressed RNAs, IPO11 and PRMT1 circRNAs were upregulated, whereas CACNA1F circRNA was downregulated. This is the first study showing that the differential expression of exosomal RNAs associated with MMD pathogenesis, such as overexpression of IPO11 and PRMT1 circRNAs, may be related to angiogenesis in MMD. The downregulation of CACNA1F circRNA may be related to vascular occlusion. These results propose the utility of exosomal RNAs as biological markers in MMD.